PureCircle has partnered with tobacco farmers in North Carolina (US) to commercially grow its StarLeaf stevia for the next planting season, to meet growing demand for food and beverage launches using the plant-based sweetener.

Building strong brands and creating customer value will help Coca-Cola continue to build on its success in its flagship North American market, says incoming president for Coca-Cola North America, Jim Dinkins.

Geosaf has introduced the Vipoll Visatron VKR0E 32-32-4K/4D to the North American beverage market, an “all-in-one” machine capable of rinsing, filling, and capping anywhere from 4,000 to 20,000 cans or bottles (glass or PET) per hour, says the company.

Coca-Cola said it is on track to complete refranchising of its company-owned US territories by the end of 2017 after receiving agreements and letters of intent from a significant portion of the Northeast US.